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School 'reading stable' opened in memory of pupil

East Ayton School A wooden hut with a bench along one wood panel with three purple cushions on the bench. Above is a picture of Olivia wearing dark clothing and a riding hat holding the reins of a cream horse with a brown patch around ears and eyes.East Ayton School
The reading stable has opened at East Ayton School in memory of horse lover Olivia Eyre

A reading "stable" has been opened at a primary school in memory of an eight-year-old girl who died from cancer.

Horse lover Olivia Eyre had been a pupil at East Ayton School prior to her death in January 2024.

The school chose to create the new space - called Olivia's Reading Stable - to remember her and give pupils a place to read and reflect.

Headteacher Lisa Nellist said Olivia's death had been "absolutely devastating for the whole school and we wanted to do everything we could to keep her memory alive".

East Ayton School A wooden hut building with two white square windows to the right of the front of building and a white stable looking door to the right with two round bunches of purple flowers above the door. Under the two windows is a wooden plaque showing a picture of Olivia with her horse in a pink heart with a painting of three books next to her. East Ayton School
The reading stable has had the support of Olivia's family and local businesses who have donated items to it

Olivia was first diagnosed with cancer in January 2020 and underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

After receiving treatment the cancer returned twice more, first in her neck and then in her lung, before she died.

Mrs Nellist said she been teaching Olivia in reception when the cancer was first spotted.

"I had quite a tricky year, supporting her and her family and her classmates because they are still very young children," she said.

Mrs Nellist added that throughout Olivia's treatment "nothing really phased her right to the end," saying she had remained positive and cheerful.

Village school opens reading spot in memory of pupil

The reading stable was opened on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of her death, on what the school called her "sunset day".

Children were asked to wear purple and donate £1 to support Olivia's Ark, a charity set up in her name to help research children's cancer.

The Reading Stable was later opened by pupils, staff and parents.

Mrs Nellist said Olivia loved reading and the theme of it reflected her being into horse riding "which the children absolutely love".

She added that the creation of the Reading Stable has had the support of Olivia's family as well as local businesses who have donated items to it.

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